USM polymer team researching new cancer drug delivery process

Dr. Daniel Savin (right) and graduate student Ashley Johnson demonstrate the type of research they're conducting on a new cancer drug delivery process.

HATTIESBURG, MS (WDAM) -

Researchers in Polymer Science at Southern Miss are trying to create a drug delivery process which would target cancerous tumors while leaving surrounding areas of the body unaffected.

The studies could lead to drug therapies which minimize the negative side effects of chemotherapy.

The research, which is in its early stages, is being done by Dr. Daniel Savin and several graduate students.

"We're in the stages right now where we've developed a potential delivery vehicle and what we're trying to do with the vehicle is we're trying to encapsulate the drug under conditions similar to what is in the bloodstream," said Savin, who's an associate professor of polymer science and engineering at USM. "And then what happens is the vehicle can travel through the bloodstream and it will preferentially go into a cancer tumor," he said.

"Baby steps are made and when you see the finished product or you get to a part where you have made leaps and bounds and that you can make someone's life a lot better one day, it's so worth it," said Ashley Johnson, a graduate student who's working on the project.

A bridge on County Road 12 in Jasper County deemed unsafe by the federal government has already been closed. Photo credit WDAM.

Bridges in Jasper County will remain closed after the Chancery Court of The First Judicial District denied its petition for injunction relief to reopen bridges that were closed by the federal government.

Bridges in Jasper County will remain closed after the Chancery Court of The First Judicial District denied its petition for injunction relief to reopen bridges that were closed by the federal government.

The organization predicted 10 to 16 tropical systems, with five to nine becoming hurricanes. One to four of those hurricanes is predicted to develop into major hurricanes of Category 3 strength or above.

The organization predicted 10 to 16 tropical systems, with five to nine becoming hurricanes. One to four of those hurricanes is predicted to develop into major hurricanes of Category 3 strength or above.

The cast of "Selma The Musical: The Untold Stories" performed a song for Mississippi native Robin Roberts on the Good Morning America after show Monday and will appear on a live segment of the show on Thursday. (Photo source: Jana Paige Haynes)

A Hattiesburg theater group is in New York this week to perform their independent musical at the National Black Theater. The cast of "Selma The Musical: The Untold Stories" performed a song for Mississippi native Robin Roberts on the Good Morning America after show Monday and will appear on a segment of the show on Thursday. Robin Roberts Writer, producer and director Jana Paige Haynes said the experience in New York has been amaz...

A Hattiesburg theater group is in New York this week to perform their independent musical at the National Black Theater. The cast of "Selma The Musical: The Untold Stories" performed a song for Mississippi native Robin Roberts on the Good Morning America after show Monday and will appear on a segment of the show on Thursday. Robin Roberts Writer, producer and director Jana Paige Haynes said the experience in New York has been amaz...

The Food and Drug Administration said that various gels and creams containing the drug benzocaine can cause rare but deadly side effects in children, especially those 2 years and younger. (Source: FDA)

The US Food and Drug Administration health is warning parents about the risks of teething remedies.

The Golden Eagles will conclude spring drills at noon Saturday with the annual Black and Gold Game at M.M. Roberts Stadium.

Weather issues have re-arranged the schedule of the 2018 Conference USA Baseball Championship at MGM Park. With four, separate lightning delays pushing Wednesday’s games back by more than 6 ½ hours, only one game of the four scheduled was completed.

Weather issues have re-arranged the schedule of the 2018 Conference USA Baseball Championship at MGM Park. With four, separate lightning delays pushing Wednesday’s games back by more than 6 ½ hours, only one game of the four scheduled was completed.